Why are there palm trees in California?

A:

Quick Answer

The Washington filifera, or California fan palm, is native to Southern California. However, it only grows naturally in desert oases fed by springs from the Colorado River. Other palm tree types have been imported for aesthetic reasons.

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The California fan palms seen in Los Angeles and other California cities were likely imported from the desert regions of the state. Other types of palm trees seen throughout the state, such as the Canary Island date palms and the Mexican fan palms, have been imported from other regions. Any palm tree seen in northern California has almost certainly been moved there from somewhere else.